Although the more recent pageants on the Thames have been scenes of picturesque ceremony with thousands gathering and cheering, the Thames has sometimes been felt to be more of a barrier than a link.
Conditions in the earlier centuries of London's history offered a complete contrast. Then the roads were so bad, so dangerous to life and limb, that everybody found it easier and more agreeable to take a boat, even if the journey was only from one end of the City to the other, or over to the Southwark side.
The watermen might use very bad language they needed a "Melancholy" Burton or Dr. Johnson to retort upon them but their charges were moderate and strictly regulated. Moreover, according to one's means and purposes, one could choose between the common wherry, the covered boat, the tide boat, and the barge.
As late as 1822 there were 9,000 watermen earning a livelihood on the river. They and their predecessors for several hundred years were exceedingly tenacious of self interest.
While London Bridge was the only bridge they had little cause for trouble, since comparatively few people chose that way of crossing the river. But when other bridges were talked of the watermen resisted volubly. They or their Company actually received compensation after the building of the newer bridges. Nor, under Queen Elizabeth, could a theatre be put up on the north side without their complaining bitterly that the trade with Bankside was being taken from them.
It is recorded possibly with poetical licence that they sang at their work. It is certain that swans swarmed in flocks on the river's bosom. "The sight of them and their noise is vastly agreeable to the fleets that meet them in their course."
Later came Doggett's Coat and Badge as a tribute to the merry watermen. The race is still rowed; the ceremony of swan upping is still honoured; but few other traces remain of the old delights.